SC jobless rate increases slightly to 8.1 percent

The number of unemployed South Carolinians ticked up last month. That combined with nearly 4,800 fewer people listed as employed caused the state jobless rate to increase slightly in June, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW).

SCDEW reported South Carolina’s seasonally-adjusted jobless rate climbed to 8.1 percent in June, up from 8.0 percent in May. Every county except Fairfield and York saw increases in their unemployment rates last month.

June snapped a streak of 11 consecutive months of increases in employed South Carolinians.

The number of unemployed grew by 1,900 in June. Meanwhile, the state’s labor force declined by over 2,800 that month. However, the unemployment rate is still lower than 9.3 percent statewide in June of last year.

Most of the job gains last month came in the “Trade, Transportation, and Utilities” and the “Professional and Business Services” sectors. “Education and Health Services” and “Government” saw the biggest losses as the school year ended.

Marion County continues to have the highest unemployment rate statewide at 16.3 percent. Lexington County had the lowest at 6.9 percent.